For me, there is usually one day that stands out in my mind as the start of summer. It doesn’t have to do with the day of the month or the status of the earth’s orbit around the sun. Rather, it’s an internal moment merged with a set of external events that signals my own personal start of summer.

Today was that day.

The weather was cooperating and it was beautiful, sunny and warm. We dressed in t-shirts and shorts, packed our new picnic basket and headed to the park where we meet Liza and her girls. It was a perfect day. The kids were glad to be outdoors finally and played and played and played. Nobody whined about being too hot or too tired or too bored. Everything was fresh and new. Liza and I began to plot and plan for the start of park season; where we wanted to go, what we wanted to do and explore. Oh so many wonderful plans streach before us! I trundled the girls home for a quick lunch and long nap then I pulled out the brauts and corn and made my favorite summer meal. Liza and the girls re-emerged and we tossed them all outside while we cooked and chatted and just enjoyed being friends. Heavenly I tell you! Heavenly!

On some level inside, I know that today will stand our in my mind with clear colors and vivid detail as my first true day of summer. Yes, I know that the clouds will roll back in. (This is, after all, Oregon.) I know that there will be more gloom and mud. But on the inside, I’m in summer mode and it is truely joyous. Have your turned that mental corned into summer yet? I sure hope.

Now all I have to do is clean off my deck furniture, dig out my tank tops and stock up on sunscreen so I’ll be ready when Oregon’s true summer kicks in!

It seems like during every stage of my life, I’ve found a special friend.

In Texas, I remember playing countless hours of Peter Pan with Elizabeth in our house. When I moved to California, I found Heidi Hyiatt and almost every memory revolves around endless summer days spent in her pool. In 7th grade, I found myself partnered with Jean Chung to craft a sculpture of Garfield made from 100 sticks of bubble gum we had to chew ourselves. From this beginning sprang a friendship that would see me though the horror of middle and high school. At UCSD I found Kevin, and still haven’t been able to shake him! I survived law school and the terror of working in a law firm thanks to Kat. The countless hours we spent together studying for the Bar have been burned forever into my memory.

But even though I have been blessed with all these wonderful friends, there is one person who sits above them all…..

My sister.

I have no memory of a time before Suzy. Being 20 months apart, we were custom made playmates. And oh the games we played! Hours and hours of Benji, Battle of the Planets, spiders, Charlie’s Angels, roller skating, tree climbing and endless games of make believe. Sure, we fought but that didn’t matter because we loved eachother as only sisters can.

So when I began planning my family, I hoped and prayed that I would have two little girls close together. I wanted that special relationship for them. I wanted them to have someone to play with and love. I wanted them to be true sisters. So imagine my joy when my girls were born a mere 22 months apart! Could anything be better?

Um, yeah.

Turns out having two little kids at the same time is really really really hard. Endless diapers, endless crying, and fractured night sleep to mention but a few of the joys of two kids under the age of 2 at once. And that whole playmate thing? It wasn’t happening. Nope, it appears my sisters were broken. They wanted nothing to do with eachother and my vision of them playing happily (and quietly) in the corner while I sat and read my book was merely a hallucination. Instead, I spent all day mediating between the two of them. Trying to get Leina to share, trying to get Kulia to be gently, trying to stop the endless fighting.

And, then… something happened.

I don’t know when or what it was, but I think the sister gene is finally kicking in. Every now and then, I’ll find them playing together so happily. Leina’s in charge and Kulia is her willing peon. They play doggie or mommies. There’s no fighting or yelling. Just laughter. Laughter people! Can you belive it!? When this happens, I sit very very still and barely dare to breathe for fear of breaking the magical spell.

I think my girls have finally figured out what I’ve known for a long long time. If you are lucky, you’ll make some great friends throughout your life. But your sister? Well, your sister will be in a league all of her own. There is no friend like a sister.

So, I’ve been afraid to blog lately because if I do, it will mean these precious pictures will slowly scroll away and that thought breaks my heart. Every second of every day I am forced to witness how big Leina is getting. Tonight, she painted her own figernails people! By herself! Ok, most of the polish ended up all over her fingers but she did a pretty good job for a 3 yr old. But here’s the scary part. If she can paint her own fingernails, what does she need me for?!?! Pretty soon she’ll be polishing her own toenail, and then it just snowballs downhill to where I’m watching her drive away into the sunset with my grand kids. It could so happen that fast I tell you! So anything that emphasizes her littleness I pretty much grab onto with both hands. Because dang it, she need to stay little! Stay! Now!

Ohhh, I just figured out how to set her karate picture as my wallpaper. Oh happy day!

I ask but one thing of you this weekend. Take a moment to say good-bye to the lovely month of April. To do this, you will need a pair of old tennies, your eyes and your nose. Now, leave the house. (OK, finish reading this, then leave the house. Detail, detail.) Either start walking or get in your car and drive to a neighborhood or park that has lots of trees ’cause here’s your mission.

Find a lilac bush. Never mind the bees, if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you. Settle down by this tree and close your eyes. Hear the bees buzzing and smell that incredible aroma of the blooming flowers. They only bloom for 2 weeks out of the year so this is your only chance to stock up on lilac smell until 2008 people! Pink, purple, fushcia, lavendar – any color flower works. Just savor it.

Next, find a dogwood tree. Again, settle down. This time, keep your eyes open and drink in the sight. Did you find a pink dogwood or a white one? Either way, the color is enough to electrify you for the rest of this weekend, isn’t it? As I drive around, I find myself slowing down every time I pass a pink dogwood tree. They just take my breath away.

Now head home and tackle that laundry or mop the floor or pay your bills. Continue your daily routine secure in the knowledge that you have enjoyed the very best that April has to offer.

Ok people. All you friends and family, you need to get here. NOW.

Kulia has peaked. She has attained maximum possible every cuteness. It is unbearable. The terrible 2’s are rapidly approaching so it is only a matter of time. Get here now before it is gone. All Kevin and I can do is stand around with our mouths open in absolute stupification. The kid is beyond adorable.

Do what you need to do. I will ask no questions. Just get here!